Dick Wolf

$70 millionLaw & Order's creator hasn't suffered in the earnings department despite the original detective drama going off air after 20 seasons in 2010. The former advertising copywriter's real cash cow, Law & Order SVU, remains on the air. While speculation of the show's demise has been rife since Christopher Meloni stepped down from one of its two starring roles, Mariska Hargitay is committed to the show for another year. Even when SVU does wind down, Wolf won't suffer: he's paid as a producer now, but he'll continue making money in residuals when his shows air as reruns on TNT or USA.